Mardi Gras is the explosive party right before Lent where over a million tourists come to the city of New Orleans to celebrate with locals on Bourbon Street in the French quarter. While the colorful beads and masks can be a little gaudy, there’s an undeniable mystique to New Orleans with its mixture of French, Spanish, and African cultures that together form the Cajun and Creole subcultures. New Orleans’ magic has enchanted everyone from Anne Rice in Interview with the Vampire to Tennessee Williams in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Whether you’re traveling or just want to celebrate at home, here are six Mardi Gras cocktails to indulge. You can also pair them with a spread of Mardi Gras recipes from New Orleans’ long history.
6 Cocktails for Mardi Gras
Sazerac
The Sazerac is the “official cocktail of New Orleans.” It originated on Royal Street at the Sazerac Coffee House, hence its name. While it’s similar to an Old-Fashioned, it uses rye instead of bourbon, and what makes it special is the absinthe-washed glass you serve it in. For many, it’s their first introduction to absinthe, and it’s a popular “bartender’s choice” cocktail around the world.
Absinthe Spritz
Absinthe was once thought to make you go mad, and while it doesn’t exactly have psychedelic effects, it does get you pretty, let’s say, impaired. But, for better or worse, that’s part of the Mardi Gras tradition. This Absinthe Spritz waters the spirit down a little bit and elevates it into the spritz craze of the 2020’s. But, reader beware: Serve this to someone expecting an Aperol Spritz and they may be in for more than they bargained for. Get ready for a visit from the absinthe fairy…
Sidecar
Like the Sazerac, the Sidecar has its roots in the bars of New Orleans. While the English colonists were busy being Puritans, the French and Spanish brought their love of liquor and revelery to New Orleans. And the world of American craft cocktails is all the better for it. The Sidecar originated in Europe, but found its way to New Orleans in the 1800s, and is a perfect Mardi Gras cocktail to transport you to the smoky streets of the Garden District.
Spicy Thai Pimms Cup
The Pimm’s Cup is the house drink at Napoleon House in the French Quarter of New Orleans, despite Pimm’s being a British liqueur. This is for those who might want to deviate from the brown liquor and try something a little healthier (or as healthy as alcohol can be, anyway). Our Spicy Thai Pimm’s Cup uses jalapeño infusions for a fun, spicy twist.
Strawberry Daiquiri
This daiquiri is colorful and expressive, just like the vibe of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The daiquiri also has a mixture of Caribbean and Spanish influences, originally coming from Cuba. When you’re drinking a daiquiri, it’s hard to be worried about anything in life. That’s the true spirit of Mardi Gras.
Gin Fizz with Rizz
Guess what? This is another cocktail America has the bohemian culture of New Orleans bars to thank for. (What did the thirteen colonies bring to the party? The Protestant work ethic and smallpox?) Henry C. Ramos invented the Ramos gin fizz in 1888 at his bar, the Imperial Cabinet Saloon on Gravier Steet in New Orleans. Since then, there have been many takes on it, but ours has “rizz,” perfect for Mardi Gras if you’re on the hunt for someone to try your rizz out on in the Bourbon Street bar crawls.
Story by Emma Riva
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.
